Albuquerque Police Fatally Shoot 19-Year-Old Woman

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A young woman suspected of auto theft was shot and killed by an Albuquerque police officer following a foot chase on Monday, reportsCBS affiliate KRQE. This is the first fatal shooting since the Department of Justice concluded on April 10 that the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) displayed a culture of aggression and a pattern of excessive force.

Albuquerque police have come under intense scrutiny in recent months for their use of deadly force. The shooting of 38-year-old James Boyd, a homeless man, drew national outrage after video of the altercation went viral in March.

The most recent incident took place around 6 a.m. Monday, according to KRQE. Chief Gordon Eden said police were looking for the woman, Mary Hawkes, who they suspected of car theft. Eden said an officer started running after the suspect.

“The suspect stopped, turned and pointed a handgun at close range,” Eden told the station. “The officer fired at the suspect.” Hawkes, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene.